Long Sunset at Jenks Park
This extraordinary image was shot with a 10 stop ND filter, for over 7 minutes. What was amazing is that the wind off the Saginaw Bay was practically non-exist...
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This extraordinary image was shot with a 10 stop ND filter, for over 7 minutes. What was amazing is that the wind off the Saginaw Bay was practically non-existent. You can see some slight movement in the grasses, and the softness of the lapping waves on the shore. This was one of the most peaceful, satisfying outings I've had so far.
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Canon EOS 80D
Aperture f/22 ISO 100 Shutter 899/2 Focal Length 10/1 
Port Austin, Michigan, US
Jun, 2019Views
1564
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Winner in Multicolored Sunset Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Sunset Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
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Gaildweber
February 17, 2021
Congratulations! This is a beautiful image! Thank you for joining my challenge.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken at a small roadside park along the eastern shore of the Saginaw Bay in Michigan, called Jenks Park, which is just south of the small town of Port Austin, at the tip of Michigan's Thumb.Time
This was one of the very first long exposure photographs I took. I had traveled about two hours to reach the park, and I arrived very early to make sure I would be able to be all set up before sunset. After spending time wandering around the park and taking some other photos, I found a nice place on the beach behind some beach grass clumps, and set up for the shot. There was almost no breeze and no movement in the water, which is quite odd for the Saginaw Bay in the spring, and it was so peaceful just sitting there soaking it all in while my camera captured the images I took. This one was taken at 8:26 p.m. on April 24, 2019.Lighting
The lighting here was all mother nature!Equipment
I took the photo with my Canon 80D, using my EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM zoom at 10mm and f/22. I also used a 10-stop ND filter without the circular polarizer. ISO was at 100, and the exposure was 449.5 seconds (7 minutes, 29.5 seconds).Inspiration
I had been itching to try my new wide angle zoom lens and ND filter setup on a sunset photo, and the weather and conditions were perfect for this evening. I almost didn't go because of the long drive to get to the park, and I'm so very glad I went! I am so happy with how it turned out, mostly because I can look at it and immediately feel the peacefulness I felt when I was sitting there watching this amazing sunset.Editing
I did do some post-processing using Luminar. I used their AI Sky Enhancer, and used some masks to lighten the foreground a bit so the grass would be more visible.In my camera bag
I typically carry my Canon 80D with my four lenses (50mm f/1.8, 10-18mm wide angle zoom, 18-55mm zoom, and 55-250mm zoom). I also have my Haida M10 pro filter holder with a 10-stop ND and 3-stop GND filter. I also carry a Godox V860II external flash and remote trigger. Of course, I always have my standard accessories like spare batteries, lens hoods, memory cards, etc.Feedback
My advice is always simple...soak up everything about where you are, and feel the story that starts to reveal itself about your subject and your surroundings. I'm always amazed that eventually a compelling story begins to emerge, and my job then becomes how best to capture that story. Sometimes that's easy to do, sometimes it's damn hard, and sometimes I'm not able to do it at all. It's those times that I just enjoy the story and the moment, and then later it drives me to get better at my craft so in the future I can perhaps succeed.
